1) Sign him up, Roman

What exactly does Frank Lampard have to do to earn a new contract at Chelsea? Against Aston Villa on Saturday Lampard struck twice to surpass Bobby Tambling and become Chelsea's all-time leading goalscorer. His two second-half goals also guaranteed Chelsea a top-four finish, securing another season of Champions League football. In fact just about the only issue that wasn't put to bed on Saturday was Lampard's future.

He spoke afterwards about his desire to stay with the club for another season yet from Chelsea there was only silence. All of which seems increasingly bizarre. Forget that Lampard is 34 years of age. Ignore the fact that he has scored more goals in a Chelsea shirt that any other player. Just take this season in isolation: Lampard has scored 15 goals in only 20 Premier League starts. Across his 12-year Chelsea career he has only bettered that goal return in two seasons (in the title winning campaigns of 2005-06 and 2009-10) and yet he has never started so few games for Chelsea in a league campaign before or spent so much time on the bench. In other words, Lampard hardly looks like a spent force.

Roman Abramovich has made many unfathomable decisions during his time at Chelsea but this could top the lot if the England international leaves on a free transfer in the summer. Stuart James

2) Hornets buzzing

Whatever the result at Wembley, and whatever you think about the manner in which the squad has been gathered together, Watford will grace the national stadium in the Championship play-off final after beating Leicester over two legs. Gianfranco Zola's side play genuinely attractive passing football, and as the Italian has respectfully pointed out, has rarely seemed to get their just desserts from the officials in recent months. In that respect at least, their progress is fully deserved. And who knows, perhaps if they do go up, something will actually be done about the state of Vicarage Road. Richard Rae

3) Norwich put holiday plans on hold

It was clear from the first minute that Norwich meant business against West Brom, whose players are admittedly wiling away the time before they can jet off on their summer holidays. Chris Hughton has been criticised by Norwich's fans for his cautious style, yet here was evidence that they are capable of attacking with verve while keeping it tight at the back. With Jonny Howson setting a brisk tempo and Robert Snodgrass and Anthony Pilkington full of direct and inventive running on the flanks, Norwich were rewarded with their biggest win in the Premier League since a 5-1 win at Everton in September 1993. Jacob Steinberg

4) Harper will receive a fitting send-off

The first reaction to Rob Elliot's 80th-minute misjudgement at Queens Park Rangers that saw him receive a second yellow card was to lament Newcastle United's ability to make things difficult for themselves. When Steve Harper came on, there was then the situation of the club having to rely upon a goalkeeper with whose services they have already decided to dispense at the end of the season.

But after they closed out the victory that they needed to banish the spectre of relegation, there was an uplifting spin-off story regarding Harper, whose contract will expire in the summer and not be renewed. With Tim Krul injured and Elliot banned, Harper will start the season's final game against Arsenal at St James' Park, which stands to be a stress-free and "enjoyable" occasion, according to Alan Pardew. Newcastle can be expected to give Harper the captaincy and the fans will respond to the loyal club servant of 20 years. David Hytner

5) Liverpool's smoking area

It may have been dangerous and, quite literally, got up the noses of Fulham's supporters, but the red smoke that billowed from the visiting section at Craven Cottage on Sunday was undeniably a sight that grabbed the eye. Liverpool's travelling fans have become quite fond of pyrotechnics this season, in part as a response to the sterile atmosphere that has become the norm at Anfield. The fireworks have now been put away for the summer but staff at Premier League grounds up and down the country should brace themselves for more of the same next year. Sachin Nakrani

6) Tony Pulis knows his history

Stoke celebrated their 150th birthday before the match against Tottenham Hotspur and it is interesting to reflect how their club has evolved in a century and a half. Consider, in particular, the influence of two famous incidents involving the Potters in the late 19th century. In the 1891 FA Cup quarter-final, Stoke were denied a goal by a foul on the line – since there were no penalty kicks at the time, Notts County were able to crowd the goal and render Stoke's free-kick useless. That helped bring about the invention of penalties.

Then, in a match against Aston Villa, Stoke were chasing an equaliser and were awarded a spot-kick when another of their players was fouled in the last minute – but the Villa keeper whacked the ball out of the ground and by the time it was recovered, the match was over. This led to the introduction of another new law, allowing for stoppage time to be added so that penalties could be taken. So it is clear that Stoke have a long and proud tradition of ensuring that skill trumps spoiling tactics. Needless to say, they remain passionately committed to upholding that. Paul Doyle

By the time most people, let alone ex-professional footballers, approach their 45th birthdays, they are invariably deeply cynical and big on compromise. Not so Di Canio. Unusually honest, open, candid and above all, principled – yes, I believe his political beliefs are misunderstood – he is a rare creature and precisely what Sunderland need. Not for nothing did he score record top marks in his coaching badges.

Short has potentially captured the new Brian Clough, the man Roy Keane briefly promised to be but clearly was not. Hats off, too, to Sunderland's brilliant goalkeeper Simon Mignolet and Danny Rose, the left back who has spent the season at the Stadium of Light on loan from Tottenham Hotspur. Without the admirable contributions of those two, the Wearsiders would have been sunk without trace long before Di Canio came on the scene. Louise Taylor

8) SuperLiga by name, super league by nature

On a weekend that provided no shortage of "football, bloody hell" moments, few were more jaw-dropping than the thrilling climax of FC Porto's match against Benfica in Portugal's top flight on Saturday night. With both teams unbeaten in the league and Benfica two points clear of their rivals, the match was ostensibly a title decider that Porto had to win.

In added time at Porto's Dragao Stadium, things were looking good for Benfica, with the score tied at one goal apiece … until 19-year-old Porto substitute Kelvin struck a fine late, late winner to win his side all three points and putting them in the box-seat to win their third consecutive title with just one game to go.

In his technical area, Benfica's traumatised manager Jorge Jesus sank to his knees, his ashen face a study in horror and disbelief at what he had just witnessed unfold. With the small matter of a Europa League final to contest against Chelsea on Wednesday, it will be intriguing to see which Benfica turns up in Amsterdam: a highly motivated outfit playing with renewed vigour and determination to salvage something from the weekend wreckage, or a dispirited rabble still reeling from such a brutal hammer-blow. Football, bloody hell. Barry Glendenning

9) Wales readies itself for next season's big and ugly battle

Results elsewhere confirmed Swansea City's place in the Premier League's top 10 and a finish in eighth place is still possible for Michael Laudrup's side, with the manager quick to remind the media: "We have the lowest budget in the league so maybe where we are is an even bigger result than winning the [League] Cup." It's a huge achievement in only their second Premier League season and their fans will be in ecstatic mood if Fulham can be defeated at the Liberty Stadium next Sunday. But excitement on that match day will be fleeting – something far bigger and far uglier is on its way.

Bitter, deep-running rivalry between Swansea and Cardiff City will shortly be all-consuming along the Glamorganshire coast now that the side from the Welsh capital is joining the Premier League. Swansea have won 20 of the sides' league meetings, compared to Cardiff's 18, with a further 16 drawn. Laudrup insists he will still be managing the Swans next season, but no doubt he has been warned that the big pressure will be on for top billing on the Welsh stretch of the M4. Chris Corrigan

10) Mirallas shows the way forward

David Moyes is often portrayed as a manager whose talents lie more with stopping goals than creating them, at a club which still feeds off memories of Ball, Harvey, Kendall, Royle and Young. Well, Everton's opening goal in the 2-0 defeat of West Ham was a throwback to those glory days, and emphasised the skills laced through the current team. Baines, Pienaar and Fellaini cut open the Hammers' defence before Kevin Mirallas eased the ball home. Moyes enjoyed the moment, and his successor's first task will be to prevent the Scot persuading any member of this foursome to follow him down the M62. Robert Woodward